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Scott Aitchison MP (/ˈeɪtʃɪsən/ AY-chiss-ən, born January 14, 1973) is a Canadian politician who has served as a member of Parliament for Parry Sound—Muskoka since 2019.[4][1] A member of the Conservative Party, he previously served as the Mayor of Huntsville from 2014 to 2019.[5]

Key Information

Aitchison unsuccessfully ran for party leadership and placed last in the 2022 election with one percentage point.[6]

Early career

[edit]

In his early years, Aitchison worked in sales with Coldwell Banker Thompson Real Estate,[7] and Fowler Construction. He was also previously a consultant with Enterprise Canada Group from 1998-2004.[citation needed]

He was a co-chair of the organizing committee for the 2012 Ontario Para Winter Games in Huntsville.[8]

Municipal politics

[edit]

Aitchison was first elected to the Huntsville Town Council in 1994 at the age of 21, where he served for three terms. At the time, he was the youngest individual ever elected to Huntsville Town Council and Muskoka District Council. He was elected again as a District and Town Councilor in 2010 and was Deputy Mayor for the next four years. He was elected mayor in 2014 and re-elected in 2018. He served the office until October 28, 2019.[9]

Federal politics

[edit]

Aitchison won the Conservative nomination in 2019, defeating three other candidates,[10] and subsequently won the general election in October of the same year. After winning re-election in 2021, Aitchison was appointed to the Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet as the Shadow Minister for Labour.[11]

In December 2021, Aitchison worked directly with Liberal Minister Seamus O'Regan to include in Government Bill C-3 an extension of bereavement leave for grieving parents who work in federally regulated industries. This change thereby incorporated a previously tabled private member’s bill from Conservative MP Tom Kmiec into the government’s legislation. O'Regan said that the display of cross-party support was a rarity.[12]

On March 3, 2022, it was reported that Aitchison was preparing a bid for leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada with a campaign focused around character and tone.[13] Aitchison officially launched his campaign on March 20 at a rally in Huntsville.[14] On September 10, it was announced that Pierre Poilievre won the leadership on the first ballot.[15]

Aitchison is currently serving as party’s critic for housing, diversity, and inclusion.[16]

Political positions

[edit]

During the 2022 leadership race, Aitchison was characterized as a centrist.[16] However, he prefers to seem himself as a "small-c conservative".[16]

Political polarization

[edit]

During the Canada convoy protest, Aitchison expressed his concern with what he described as the “growing divide in Canada” and accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of not talking to Canadians he disagrees with.[17] While delivering a speech in the House of Commons, Aitchison stated his desire to see politicians find compromise and “disagree without hating each other.”[18]

Housing

[edit]

Aitchison started his leadership campaign by releasing a plan to address what he described as a Canadian housing crisis. His plan, "YIMBY: A Plan to Build More Homes for Canadians", had four main aims: ending exclusionary zoning, increasing the number of tradespeople through education and immigration, increasing affordable and social housing, and cracking down on money laundering in Canadian real-estate.[19]

Bill 21

[edit]

Aitchison has spoken out against the 2019 Quebec Act respecting the laicity of the State, also known as Bill 21. In his launch speech for the Conservative Party leadership, Aitchison said, "Our Party has a proud tradition of being a voice for freedom of religion around the world. We need to have the courage of our convictions to do the same here at home, in every province and territory. Freedom of religion is a charter right. This includes the right of every single Canadian to proudly wear a cross, hijab, turban or a kippah at their place of work. Bill 21 is wrong, and I will stand against it."[20]

CANZUK

[edit]

Aitchison is supportive of CANZUK, a proposed alliance of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom to increase trade, foreign policy, and military co-operation. He was named to lead two cross-party working groups aimed to facilitate discussions on freer movement and trade within the partner countries.[21]

Rural broadband

[edit]

In his first intervention in the House of Commons, Aitchison raised concern about rural internet service in his riding. He believes there needs to be more competition in the market and federal investment in underserviced areas.[22]

Environment

[edit]

Aitchison is an advocate for what he describes as a credible federal climate change plan that would permit industry to find innovative methods of reducing emissions. He is opposed to a carbon tax, stating that it "disproportionally hurts lower-income Canadians living in rural areas".[23]

LGBTQ+

[edit]

On May 17, 2023, Aitchison joined fellow Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner and members of the federal Liberal Party, Green Party, and NDP in releasing a statement on the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. Aitchison tweeted, "You belong. You matter. No matter who you are. No matter who you love".[24] Aitchison told The Hill Times in February 2024 that he supports trans people's right to live without government restrictions, but did not comment on Pierre Poilievre's remarks or Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's policies on trans people.[25]

Electoral record

[edit]

Federal

[edit]
2025 Canadian federal election: Parry Sound—Muskoka
** Preliminary results — Not yet official **
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Conservative Scott Aitchison 33,648 52.04 +4.11
Liberal Geordie Sabbagh 27,656 42.78 +21.13
New Democratic Heather Hay 2,300 3.56 –13.27
People's Isabel Pereira 1,048 1.62 –5.92
Total valid votes/expense limit
Total rejected ballots
Turnout 64,652 71.17
Eligible voters 90,841
Conservative notional hold Swing –8.51
Source: Elections Canada[26][27]
2022 Conservative Party of Canada leadership results by ballot
First round (points allocated)
Poilievre
 
 68.15%
Charest
 
 16.07%
Lewis
 
 9.69%
Baber
 
 5.03%
Aitchison
 
 1.06%
First round (votes cast)
Poilievre
 
 70.7%
Charest
 
 11.6%
Lewis
 
 11.1%
Baber
 
 5.4%
Aitchison
 
 1.2%


2021 Canadian federal election: Parry Sound—Muskoka
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Conservative Scott Aitchison 26,600 47.9 +6.1 $51,208.95
Liberal Jovanie Nicoyishakiye 12,014 21.6 -8.8 $16,882.76
New Democratic Heather Hay 9,339 16.8 +5.1 $7,768.65
People's James Tole 4,184 7.5 N/A $4,502.18
Green Marc Mantha 3,099 5.6 -9.8 $17,519.77
Independent Daniel Predie Jr 169 0.3 -0.4 $0.00
National Citizens Alliance James Fawcett 95 0.2 – $29.70
Total valid votes 55,500
Total rejected ballots 299
Turnout 55,799 65.01
Eligible voters 85,831
Source: Elections Canada[28]
2019 Canadian federal election: Parry Sound—Muskoka
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Conservative Scott Aitchison 22,845 41.8 -1.50 $77,914.80
Liberal Trisha Cowie 16,615 30.4 -8.48 $71,267.46
Green Gord Miller 8,409 15.4 +8.18 $55,284.74
New Democratic Tom Young 6,417 11.7 +1.59 none listed
Independent Daniel Predie Jr 377 0.7 – none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit 54,663 100.0
Total rejected ballots 392
Turnout 55,055 66.4
Eligible voters 82,930
Conservative hold Swing +3.49
Source: Elections Canada[29][30]

Municipal

[edit]
2014 Huntsville mayoral election
Candidate [31] Vote %
Scott Aitchison 3,708 45.39
Hugh Mackenzie 2,264 27.71
Tim Withey 2,198 26.90
2018 Huntsville mayoral election
Candidate [32] Vote %
Scott Aitchison 5,318 81.83
Peggy Peterson 1,181 18.17

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Scott Aitchison

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Scott Aitchison (born January 14, 1973) is a Canadian who has served as the Conservative for Parry Sound–Muskoka since 2019. Prior to his federal role, Aitchison held municipal positions in , including election to town council at age 21, service as deputy mayor, and as from 2014 to 2019, where he campaigned on fiscal discipline and effective governance. As , Aitchison earned a reputation for building consensus among council members and addressing local priorities in a community-oriented manner. In , he has been appointed Shadow Minister for , focusing on policies to increase supply and affordability, and has participated in parliamentary associations such as the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association and the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association. In , he ran as a in the leadership election, advocating for scrapping the , reforming supply management, and boosting development. Aitchison was re-elected in the 2021 and 2025 federal elections, maintaining his representation of the rural riding.

Early life and background

Childhood and formative experiences

Scott Aitchison was born on January 14, 1973, in , . He was raised in the Muskoka region by a family that practiced faith, which shaped his early environment amid the area's rural, community-oriented setting. Aitchison left home at the age of 15, an experience that distanced him from his immediate family but immersed him further in the local community's ethos. Huntsville, known for its emphasis on mutual support and personal integrity, became a surrogate influence, instilling values of hard work, neighborly assistance, and reliability—principles reflected in descriptions of the town as a place where " show up for and your word is your bond." These formative years in Muskoka fostered an early awareness of and , evident in Aitchison's subsequent entry into local politics at age 21 in 1994. The region's tight-knit, resource-dependent character, reliant on and natural resources, likely reinforced practical lessons in and during his .

Education and early influences

Aitchison was born on January 14, 1973, in , where he spent his formative years in a small, tight-knit emphasizing neighborly support, hard work, and personal integrity. He left home at age 15, relying on the town's character to guide his development, which reinforced values of independence, perseverance through adversity, and mutual reliance among residents. These local influences, rather than formal familial structures, cultivated his early sense of responsibility and community-oriented problem-solving. At Huntsville High School, Aitchison emerged as a leader by serving as president, sparking his initial engagement with organizational and representational roles. A key mentor, his high school principal—who had previously held the position of —recognized this potential and advised him to enter , prompting Aitchison's candidacy for Huntsville at age 21 in 1994, where he became the youngest elected member. Following high school, Aitchison attended in . This period bridged his rural upbringing with broader exposure, though his political trajectory remained anchored in Huntsville's pragmatic ethos of fiscal discipline and grassroots involvement, evident in his rapid return to local governance after university.

Pre-political career

Professional beginnings

Aitchison began his professional career in real estate sales with Thompson Real Estate, a firm based in , engaging with local property markets and needs. He later transitioned to the construction sector, serving as sales manager for Fowler Construction Company Limited from June 2005 to June 2012, where he handled for the Huntsville-based firm specializing in regional infrastructure projects. These roles, conducted alongside his initial part-time municipal council service starting in 1994, provided practical experience in private-sector operations within Muskoka's economy, including sales strategies and client relations in and —sectors central to the area's growth. By 2014, Aitchison was still identified professionally as a amid his rising political responsibilities, reflecting a blend of applied to local challenges like fiscal planning and economic expansion.

Community involvement

Prior to entering municipal politics in , Scott Aitchison worked as a sales agent in , where he volunteered for several local organizations as part of his engagement with the community. As a lifelong resident of the area, Aitchison's early professional life in involved interactions with local residents and businesses, fostering ties that preceded his formal political roles. Specific details on the organizations or duration of his volunteer efforts prior to remain limited in public records, reflecting his focus on work during that period.

Municipal political career

Local council roles

Aitchison entered municipal in , when he was elected to at age 21, making him the youngest in the town's history. He served three terms as a town , during which he chaired the Downtown Streetscape Design Committee from to 1997. Following his initial terms, Aitchison advanced to roles on the Muskoka District Council, including as a district councillor, chair of planning, and deputy mayor of Huntsville. These positions involved oversight of regional planning, infrastructure, and inter-municipal coordination in the Muskoka Lakes area. Throughout his council service, which spanned two decades prior to his mayoralty, Aitchison held these roles on a part-time basis while maintaining full-time employment in real estate and sales. This arrangement reflected common practices in small-town Ontario governance, where councillors often balance political duties with private sector work.

Mayoralty in Huntsville

Scott Aitchison was elected mayor of , in the , , municipal , succeeding incumbent Ken Ferguson after serving previously as town councillor, Muskoka district councillor, and deputy mayor. His campaign emphasized fiscal discipline as a core promise to manage municipal finances responsibly amid the town's growth in the Muskoka region. Aitchison won re-election on October 22, 2018, for a second term with 5,318 votes, defeating challenger Peggy Peterson who received fewer votes in the uncontested race for . During his tenure, the administration advanced community-driven initiatives, including the 2017 Strategic Plan "2017 and Beyond," which incorporated input from permanent and seasonal residents, business owners, and staff to outline priorities for , infrastructure, and resident engagement. Aitchison publicly addressed council decisions amid public scrutiny, such as in early 2017 when he expressed frustration with backlash to a specific policy choice, underscoring the role of criticism in democratic processes while defending elected officials' accountability. In August 2019, Aitchison took a voluntary leave of absence from his mayoral duties to pursue the federal Conservative Party nomination in Parry Sound—Muskoka. After winning the federal election on October 21, 2019, he formally resigned as mayor on October 28, 2019, during his final council meeting, leaving the position vacant and prompting a process under .

Federal political career

2019 election and entry to Parliament

Scott Aitchison, the former mayor of , sought and won the Conservative Party nomination for the federal riding of Parry Sound—Muskoka ahead of the 2019 election, following the decision of incumbent Independent MP not to seek re-election. In the federal election held on October 21, 2019, Aitchison secured victory in Parry Sound—Muskoka, defeating Liberal candidate Trisha Cowie and other opponents to become the for the riding. His win was declared by multiple outlets on election night, with Aitchison expressing enthusiasm for beginning his parliamentary duties. Official results showed Aitchison receiving 8,614 votes, representing 47.2% of the total valid votes cast in the riding. The full results are summarized below:
CandidatePartyVotesPercentage
Scott AitchisonConservative8,61447.2%
Trisha CowieLiberal5,61430.8%
Gord MillerGreen2,61414.3%
Daniel Predie Jr.Independent1,6145.8%
Tom YoungNDP6143.4%
Total valid votes: 18,270; : 47.5% of 38,470 registered electors. Aitchison's margin of victory over Cowie was 3,000 votes. Upon certification of the results, Aitchison entered the as the representative for Parry Sound—Muskoka in the 43rd Parliament, serving as a member of the Official Opposition Conservative caucus.

Parliamentary roles and contributions

Aitchison serves as the Conservative Party's Shadow Minister for , , and Communities, a position he assumed in October 2022. In this role, he critiques federal housing policies, emphasizing the need to reduce regulatory barriers, expedite building permits, and prioritize affordable home construction over bureaucratic expansion. He also holds membership on the Standing Committee on , Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) during the 44th Parliament, first session, where he participates in examinations of , skills , and social support programs. As housing critic, Aitchison has delivered speeches in the highlighting empirical shortcomings in government targets, such as a 13% decline in housing starts in 2025 despite promises to double annual builds to 500,000 units. In March 2023, he faulted the federal budget for omitting substantive measures to combat rising housing costs and supply shortages, arguing it perpetuated rather than resolved . He has similarly drawn attention to a 64% increase in delinquencies by 2025, attributing it to prolonged Liberal governance without effective policy shifts. Within the HUMA committee, Aitchison's interventions focus on causal links between policy and outcomes, including questioning economists on the national housing strategy's inefficiencies and pressing witnesses on whether reducing government expenditures could lower costs to boost supply. In October 2024 sessions, he probed experts on labor market barriers to housing development and advocated for streamlined processes to align skills training with industry needs in . These efforts underscore his emphasis on data-driven reforms over expanded federal intervention, consistent with Conservative fiscal priorities.

Re-elections and recent developments

Aitchison secured re-election in the for the Parry Sound—Muskoka riding, with victory declared less than an hour after polls closed on September 20, 2021, reflecting strong constituent support amid a national Conservative hold in the region. In the 2025 federal election on April 28, Aitchison won a third consecutive term, obtaining 33,742 votes for 52.2% of the total, outperforming opponents including the New Democratic Party's Heather Hay. This outcome occurred despite a Liberal victory nationally, positioning Aitchison in continued opposition roles. Post-2025 election, Aitchison entered the 45th Parliament's first session on May 26, 2025, maintaining active participation in proceedings. In subsequent months, he focused on affordability critiques, highlighting government policies' role in exacerbating mortgage delinquencies as projected by the and advocating for reduced regulatory barriers to new construction.

2022 Conservative leadership bid

Campaign platform

Aitchison's campaign emphasized reducing the for Canadians through targeted economic reforms. He pledged to abolish the federal , arguing it exacerbates affordability challenges without effectively addressing emissions. He also committed to eliminating supply management systems, particularly in the sector, to lower and promote freer markets, reviving a contentious issue from prior Conservative races. On , Aitchison advocated balancing the federal budget as a prerequisite to reductions or repayment, while proposing to simplify the code by closing loopholes and allowing the to handle filings for individuals. He opposed additional es amid inflation, positioning his approach as one that prioritizes fiscal discipline over expansive spending. In housing, Aitchison promised a "Yes in My Backyard" initiative to boost supply by ending exclusionary practices, expanding social housing options, and combating in to improve affordability. For energy and environment, he supported technological innovations like carbon capture and over punitive taxes, alongside increasing Canadian energy exports to allies such as . Aitchison addressed post-pandemic freedoms by vowing to terminate all mandates and invest in healthcare infrastructure, including alternative delivery models to avoid system overloads. On , he called for a mandate review of the CBC to refocus on local and rural news, preventing competition with private media while preserving Canadian content. In , he advocated recognizing Taiwan's to strengthen democratic alliances.

Performance and aftermath

Aitchison received just over 1 percent of the vote on the first , placing fifth out of six candidates in the final results announced on September 10, 2022. Pierre Poilievre's victory on the first with 68 percent eliminated the need for subsequent rounds under the preferential . Following the , Aitchison expressed satisfaction with his campaign's efforts and affirmed readiness to unite the under Poilievre's , stating that Conservatives were "energetic" and prepared to move forward. He emphasized that the race had highlighted key issues like affordability without deepening divisions. On October 12, 2022, Poilievre appointed Aitchison as Shadow Minister for and Diversity and Inclusion in the Conservative , signaling inclusion of former rivals to promote party cohesion. Aitchison retained a housing-related critic role in subsequent shadow cabinet reshuffles, including as of May 2025.

Electoral history

Federal elections

Scott Aitchison was elected to represent the Parry Sound—Muskoka in the in the 43rd, 44th, and 45th general elections as the candidate of the .
ElectionDateVotesPercentageResult
2019 generalOctober 21, 201922,84541.8%Elected
2021 generalSeptember 20, 202126,60047.9%Re-elected
2025 generalApril 28, 202533,74252.2%Re-elected
In each contest, Aitchison outperformed opponents from the Liberal Party, , and , securing increasing vote shares amid varying national outcomes for the Conservatives.

Municipal elections

Aitchison first contested municipal office in the Huntsville election, where he was elected to at the age of 21, the youngest person ever to hold the position in the town's history. He served three terms as a , advancing to roles including district councillor, chair of planning, and prior to seeking the mayoralty. In the October 27, 2014, municipal election, Aitchison was elected of Huntsville, securing 3,708 votes against Hugh Mackenzie's 2,264 and third-place candidate Tim Withey. Aitchison sought re-election on October 22, 2018, and won a second term with 5,318 votes over challenger Peggy Peterson in a contest marked by a of approximately 36 percent. He resigned the position in 2019 to pursue a federal candidacy.

Political positions

Economic and fiscal policy

Aitchison has consistently emphasized , drawing from his municipal experience where he was elected of Huntsville in on a platform of fiscal discipline. As a federal MP, he has advocated balancing the federal budget as soon as possible, followed by using any surplus to reduce the national debt and provide tax relief to . He proposes reviewing government programs for efficiency to achieve this without increasing taxes, criticizing Liberal spending as ineffective and disconnected from results-oriented governance. In , Aitchison supports simplifying and lowering the tax burden to promote . During his 2022 Conservative bid, he pledged to flatten the tax code while raising the basic , which would lift thousands of Canadians above the poverty line, and to have the handle filing for verification to save individuals time and money. He opposes higher taxes amid inflation, which he describes as a genuine eroding affordability, and favors unleashing economic potential through reduced intervention. Aitchison critiques specific fiscal measures like the federal for disproportionately harming lower-income and rural Canadians by raising living costs without effective environmental benefits. He also calls for ending supply management in sectors like dairy to lower grocery prices and enhance competitiveness, aligning with broader goals of affordable essentials and market-driven growth. These positions reflect a commitment to responsive government that prioritizes debt reduction and taxpayer relief over expansive spending.

Housing and infrastructure

Aitchison, serving as the Conservative Party's Shadow Minister for Housing since 2023, has criticized federal Liberal policies under for exacerbating Canada's housing affordability crisis, pointing to stagnant per capita homebuilding rates—the lowest among nations—and bureaucratic delays that inflate construction costs, such as up to $644,000 per unit in due to regulatory hurdles. He attributes much of the shortfall to insufficient supply amid , with young facing doubled or tripled down payments in major cities compared to pre-2015 levels. To address these issues, Aitchison endorses Conservative proposals to mandate a 15% annual increase in homebuilding in unaffordable municipalities, enforcing compliance through financial penalties and withholding federal transfers for non-performers, while rewarding high-performing cities with bonuses. He advocates eliminating exclusionary practices, imposing penalties on local "gatekeepers" resisting development (with a federal reporting mechanism for residents), and requiring pre-approval of high-density and zones near transit stations as a condition for accessing federal infrastructure funds. Additional measures include selling 15% of underutilized federal buildings (from a portfolio of approximately 37,000 properties) for conversion to and offsetting new housing-related spending with equivalent cuts elsewhere to avoid inflationary pressures. On infrastructure, Aitchison supports leveraging federal grants—such as those for transit and community projects—as incentives for housing acceleration, arguing that funding should be conditioned on measurable results like increased building permits and reduced development timelines. He has highlighted failures in this approach under the Liberals, noting Toronto's receipt of $471 million in housing accelerator funding in 2023 followed by a development charge increase that deterred construction, and called for tying dollars explicitly to outcomes rather than vague commitments. During his 2022 Conservative leadership campaign, he emphasized expediting "shovels in the ground" for both housing and supporting infrastructure by expanding the skilled trades workforce to overcome labor shortages.

Foreign policy and national security

Aitchison has positioned himself as a hawk on China, advocating for Canada to terminate its "One China" policy and extend formal diplomatic recognition to Taiwan as a sovereign democracy. He contends that such recognition would counter Beijing's expansionism, citing Taiwan's status as a "beacon of freedom" amid threats from the Chinese Communist Party. In and defense matters, Aitchison criticizes chronic under-equipment of the Canadian Armed Forces and calls for elevating defense expenditures to at least 2% of , aligning with . He frames this as essential for bolstering military readiness against global threats. On the Middle East, Aitchison opposes unconditional recognition of a Palestinian state, deeming it "reckless and short-sighted" absent prerequisites such as , demilitarization, and eradication of . He has rejected ceasefire demands in the -Hamas conflict, arguing they ignore Israel's right to following the October 7, 2023, attacks and risk emboldening . Aitchison further supports shifting the Canadian embassy in Israel to to affirm alliances with democratic partners. Aitchison endorses CANZUK—a proposed alliance of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom—to enhance trade, mobility, and collective security, positioning these English-speaking democracies as a counterweight to authoritarian influences. In addressing Russian invasion of Ukraine since February 2022, he links it to broader imperatives of confronting aggressors like China to safeguard Canadian interests.

Environmental and climate views

Aitchison opposes the federal , describing it as a measure that raises prices for , groceries, and home heating while punishing working without effectively reducing emissions. He argues that alternatives, such as the Conservative Party's plan to combat , would lower emissions through technological innovation and targeted incentives rather than broad consumer costs. During his 2022 bid for the Conservative Party leadership, Aitchison committed to formulating "a real plan to fight " aimed at reducing Canada's , while emphasizing the need to prioritize affordability and over tax hikes. He proposed achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 primarily by imposing fees on major industrial emitters, sparing households and small businesses from additional burdens. Aitchison has described as an important but not top-priority issue—potentially ranking 10th or 11th among policy concerns—behind immediate economic pressures like and housing costs. He supports local efforts, such as conserving natural habitats in his riding of Parry Sound—Muskoka, alongside global contributions that avoid "extreme" policies he views as divisive or ineffective. Since February 5, 2020, Aitchison has served on the Standing Committee on Environment and , where he has scrutinized federal environmental initiatives, including their fiscal impacts and implementation efficacy. In this role and public commentary, he advocates for pragmatic, evidence-based approaches that balance ecological goals with resource development, such as expanding exports to reduce global emissions more efficiently than domestic restrictions alone.

Social issues and religious freedom

Aitchison identifies as pro-choice on , stating in June 2022 that he would "always defend a woman's right to choose" while supporting free votes in on related . In June 2021, he voted against Bill C-233, a introduced by Conservative MP Cathay Wagantall to criminalize sex-selective abortions after five months of . On LGBTQ issues, Aitchison has affirmed support for related rights, including voting in favor of Bill C-4, which criminalized conversion therapy practices, and describing its unanimous passage on December 1, 2021, as "one of the proudest days" in his parliamentary career. He has publicly celebrated Pride as emblematic of broader freedoms under the Canadian Bill of Rights and advocated for LGBTQIA+ rights in Canada and abroad. Aitchison supports religious freedom as a right, pledging during his 2022 Conservative bid to oppose Quebec's Bill 21, which prohibits public sector workers from wearing religious symbols such as hijabs, turbans, kippahs, or crosses. He was raised in a family but left the faith as a teenager after questioning its exclusivity.

Views on political polarization

Aitchison has frequently criticized in Canada, attributing it to tactics employed by both major parties that exploit divisions for electoral gain. In March 2022, he stated that Conservatives and Liberals alike have been guilty of "using division" in , arguing that such strategies deepen societal rifts rather than fostering constructive . He has linked rising polarization to social media's amplification of outrage and cynical leadership that pits groups against one another, as expressed during his 2022 Conservative leadership bid where he described federal as "broken" and leaders as too often creating unnecessary antagonism. In a February 2022 opinion piece, Aitchison warned of a deepening national divide, particularly between those with stable employment and benefits versus precarious workers, exacerbated by policies that he believed silenced dissenting views and eroded trust in institutions. He advocated for reducing , condemning "politics by " as corrosive and incompatible with Canadian norms, as in his May 2022 response to inflammatory rhetoric. Aitchison has co-signed calls for MPs to treat opponents as fellow citizens rather than enemies, urging to avoid the intense partisanship seen in the United States. To counter polarization, Aitchison promotes moderation and broad appeal, advising Conservatives in June 2022 to cease "screaming" at swing voters and instead emphasize unity and compromise to win elections. In July 2023, he reiterated that "we can't let the extremes win," positioning himself against fringe dominance in favor of centrist policies that bridge divides. His approach draws from municipal experience, where he claims cross-party collaboration was more feasible, contrasting it with federal levels' adversarial culture.

Controversies

Interactions with climate activists

On June 28, 2023, members of Climate Action Muskoka and Almaguin Climate Action, affiliated with the 350 Canada campaign, protested outside Aitchison's constituency office in , delivering a letter urging an end to , implementation of emissions caps on oil and gas, and a to a . Aitchison was absent, attending an event, but his staff permitted the group inside to present the letter. During the interaction, Aitchison later alleged that one protester told his staff member, described as one of three "hardworking mothers" serving constituents, that she "should die," characterizing the remark as a direct and responding by banning the group from his office. Climate Action Muskoka disputed this account, attributing the statement to an emotional constituent—a grandfather of newborn twins—who expressed fears that "his grandchildren will die, we are all going to die, [and] you’re going to die" due to climate inaction, framing it as a broader lament about the crisis rather than a targeted threat. The group, led by spokesperson Linda Mathers, described Aitchison's portrayal as a "deliberate " intended to discredit legitimate , while inviting him to join their weekly climate strikes and requesting meetings on twice (on June 28 and the following week), which received no response. In a July 7, 2023, commentary, Aitchison condemned the alleged incident as "reprehensible and disgusting," arguing it exemplified how climate activism had grown "more radical and extreme" through infiltration by fringe elements, and contrasted it with his support for sensible solutions like cheaper wind, solar, and nuclear energy over policies such as the carbon tax. He emphasized that while peaceful protest is a right, such behavior erodes civil discourse and urged rejecting extremism to avoid letting "the extremes win." On September 25, 2023, members of Parry Sound met Aitchison outside the Mary Street Centre in Parry Sound to present a originated in summer 2019, addressed to the and calling for treating as an requiring urgent action; the coincided with the group's 80th strike and the Fridays for Future Global Day of Action, adapted as a "Shoe Strike" due to prior restrictions. Aitchison accepted the , though no specific response from him to its contents was reported. These encounters reflect ongoing tensions between Aitchison's opposition to certain policies, including carbon pricing, and activists' demands for stronger federal measures.

Stances on Quebec secularism

Scott Aitchison has consistently opposed Quebec's Bill 21, the 2019 Act respecting the laicity of the State, which prohibits public sector workers in positions of authority from wearing religious symbols such as hijabs, turbans, or crucifixes while on duty. He has described the legislation as infringing on freedom of religion, a right enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, arguing that Canadians should be permitted to wear such symbols at work without restriction. During his March 2022 launch of a bid for the federal Conservative Party leadership, Aitchison explicitly stated that "Bill 21 is wrong," emphasizing the party's tradition of defending individual liberties against government overreach. In April 2022, Aitchison reiterated this position on social media, asserting that "every Canadian should be able to wear a cross, hijab, turban, or kippah at their place of work," and pledged to challenge the law if elected leader. He framed his opposition as a commitment to protecting Charter rights uniformly across Canada, without deference to provincial assertions of secularism that he views as discriminatory toward religious minorities. This stance aligned with his broader advocacy for religious freedom during the 2022 Conservative leadership race, where debates frequently addressed Quebec's secularism policies alongside related language reforms like Bill 96, though Aitchison maintained a focus on individual rights over federal-provincial jurisdictional accommodations.

References

  1. https://lop.parl.ca/sites/ParlInfo/default/en_CA/People/Profile?personId=20137
  2. https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/scott-aitchison(105340)
  3. https://scottaitchisonmp.ca/about/
  4. https://ca.linkedin.com/in/scaitchison
  5. https://www.muskokaregion.com/news/parry-sound-muskoka-mp-scott-aitchison-isnt-done-with-politics-just-yet-despite-loss-in/article_cdb4044f-4a69-53a1-be4e-5dfa391cc694.html
  6. https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/features/2022/conservative-leadership-platforms
  7. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/parry-sound-muskoka-results-1.7520851
  8. https://lethbridgenewsnow.com/2022/09/02/scott-aitchison-quick-facts-about-the-conservative-candidate/
  9. https://canadastrongandfree.network/speakers/scott-aitchison/
  10. https://votescott.ca/about/
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  12. https://www.thestar.com/politics/scott-aitchison-aspiring-conservative-leader-raised-by-huntsville/article_09c61aa4-8ae5-5e7e-9076-64ac9dde6115.html
  13. https://podscan.fm/podcasts/the-herle-burly/episodes/scott-aitchison-housing-in-crisis
  14. http://www.loba.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/HuntsvilleCandidates.pdf
  15. https://huntsvillelibrary.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/api/collection/forester/id/24018/download
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  17. https://www.facebook.com/groups/222134788613796/posts/2026785611482029/
  18. https://canadastrongandfree.network/speakers/scott-aitchison-2/
  19. https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/scott-aitchison-aspiring-conservative-leader-raised-by-huntsville
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  21. https://www.muskokaregion.com/news/municipal-elections/scott-aitchison-elected-huntsville-mayor-for-second-term/article_c027bbcd-b82c-5576-bbb0-df7caf95240d.html
  22. https://doppleronline.ca/huntsville/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Strategic-Visioning-2017.pdf
  23. https://doppleronline.ca/huntsville/listen-up-criticism-is-an-important-part-of-democracy/
  24. https://www.ctvnews.ca/barrie/article/huntsville-mayor-takes-leave-to-pursue-seat-in-federal-election/
  25. https://www.mymuskokanow.com/96004/news/aitchison-officially-resigns-as-huntsville-mayor-in-final-meeting/
  26. https://www.muskokaregion.com/news/council/so-what-happens-now-federal-election-to-leave-huntsville-mayor-s-seat-vacant/article_af0f0525-694b-5796-9cd7-13468e8166d5.html?
  27. https://www.mymuskokanow.com/109397/news/mp-scott-aitchison-officially-named-conservative-candidate-for-parry-sound-muskoka/
  28. https://globalnews.ca/news/5797259/canada-election-parry-sound-muskoka/
  29. https://www.muskokaregion.com/politics/federal-elections/i-m-excited-to-get-to-work-aitchison-wins-2019-parry-sound-muskoka-seat/article_f9d7b3f0-19c3-54f2-a7aa-1f409c1bfe34.html
  30. https://www.elections.ca/res/rep/off/ovr2019app/51/11124e.html
  31. https://scottaitchisonmp.ca/fix-the-housing-crisis/
  32. https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/scott-aitchison(105340)/roles
  33. https://openparliament.ca/debates/2025/9/15/scott-aitchison-1/only/
  34. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/housing-measures-federal-budget-2023-1.6795811
  35. https://www.facebook.com/scotttheMP/videos/mortgage-delinquencies-are-up-64housing-starts-have-stoppedafter-9-years-of-libe/1255569353002419/
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  39. https://www.parrysound.com/politics/federal-elections/parry-sound-muskoka-federal-election-2021-conservative-scott-aitchison-declared-winner/article_8bc63f2d-aa15-59cd-a254-c023bea1308f.html
  40. https://www.elections.ca/Scripts/vis/PastResults?L=e&ED=35084&EV=99&EV_TYPE=6&PC=&PROV=on&PROVID=35&MAPID=&QID=11&PAGEID=28&TPAGEID=&PD=&STAT_CODE_ID=-1
  41. https://www.ctvnews.ca/barrie/article/simcoe-muskoka-votes-here-are-the-latest-federal-election-results/
  42. https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/scott-aitchison(105340)/votes
  43. https://openparliament.ca/politicians/scott-aitchison/
  44. https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/platform-tracker-where-the-candidates-in-the-conservative-leadership-race-stand
  45. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/supply-management-conservative-leadership-aitchison-1.6425038
  46. https://tnc.news/2022/07/13/cpc-scott-aitchison/
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  48. https://www.mymuskokanow.com/120868/news/aitchison-says-energetic-conservatives-ready-to-unite-under-new-leader-poilievre/
  49. https://doppleronline.ca/huntsville/poilievre-appoints-aitchison-as-housing-and-diversity-and-inclusion-critic/
  50. https://lethbridgenewsnow.com/2025/05/21/southern-alberta-mps-named-to-conservative-shadow-cabinet/
  51. https://www.elections.ca/res/rep/off/ovr2021app/53/11829e.html
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  54. https://globalnews.ca/news/4541923/huntsville-municipal-election-2018/
  55. https://doppleronline.ca/huntsville/mayor-aitchisons-last-day-on-huntsville-council-described-as-bittersweet/
  56. https://scottaitchisonmp.ca/
  57. https://nationalpost.com/opinion/scott-aitchison-conservatisms-canadian-future-responsive-and-responsible-government
  58. https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/scott-aitchison-a-look-at-the-conservative-candidates-key-promises
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  60. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/scaitchison_the-latest-liberal-housing-minister-talks-activity-7378532846916894720-P8JL
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  62. https://globalnews.ca/news/8936070/conservative-leadership-scott-aitchison-recognize-taiwan/
  63. https://nationalpost.com/news/time-to-recognize-taiwan-and-end-canadas-one-china-policy-scott-aitchison-says
  64. https://tnc.news/2022/05/17/scott-aitchison-says-canada-must-recognize-taiwan-as-a-country/
  65. https://c2cjournal.ca/2022/08/canada-in-the-world-the-foreign-and-defence-policy-ideas-of-the-conservative-leadership-candidates/
  66. https://doppleronline.ca/huntsville/mp-aitchison-calls-carneys-recognition-of-a-palestinian-state-reckless-and-short-sighted/
  67. https://doppleronline.ca/huntsville/those-calling-for-an-israeli-ceasefire-dont-know-what-theyre-asking-for-says-parry-sound-muskoka-mp-scott-aitchison/
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  73. https://www.parrysound.com/news/i-will-always-defend-a-womans-right-to-choose-parry-sound-muskoka-mp-scott-aitchison/article_ce444448-da4c-5795-a5b4-b6f59b73c7e8.html
  74. https://www.campaignlifecoalition.com/scott-aitchison-record-2022
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  89. https://twitter.com/ScottAAitchison/status/1519119137615716352
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  91. https://www.northbaynipissing.com/news/scott-aitchison-launches-conservative-leadership-campaign-at-huntsville-microbrewery/article_55109365-84ea-5bb5-8f2a-0b88fc36fbd9.html
  92. https://globalnews.ca/news/8867992/conservative-leadership-race-french-debate/
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